Chapter 22

Episode 22. Let’s Do Something Together (1)

A bustling morning for everyone.

There was still one person sleeping soundly.

“Ugh. Oversleeping on the very first morning! What about the dignity and grace of a noble?!”

Jacques, Keter’s personal butler, paced anxiously in front of Keter’s bedroom door.

Last night, just before falling asleep, Jacques had sternly reminded Keter. The members of House Sephira always have breakfast together, no matter what. If Keter wanted to be recognized as part of the family, he had to attend breakfast. So, he should wake up early, tidy himself, and head to the dining room!

Not once, not twice. Jacques had emphasized this to Keter a whopping six times.

But, but!

‘Why are you still sleeping?!’

Jacques clutched his face in agony.

However, forcibly waking Keter wouldn’t align with the etiquette of dealing with a noble.

After all, Keter wasn’t a child, and being woken up by someone was considered a great humiliation in noble society.

Thus, Jacques had been pacing in front of Keter’s door for an hour.

He trusted Keter and waited by the door, but no matter how much time passed, Keter showed no signs of waking.

‘I clearly saw him enter the bedroom. How many hours has he been sleeping? Huh, could it be…?’

Jacques suddenly realized.

Keter had been so lively on the first day that Jacques had forgotten, but Keter wasn’t exactly a welcomed presence in House Sephira.

Moreover, yesterday, Elder Panir had returned.

Panir was not only the most hot-tempered and impulsive among the elders but in all of House Sephira.

Clank, clank, clank.

Jacques’ hand trembled as he gripped the doorknob.

‘Surely not, right? No matter what, he’s family…’

The more Jacques thought about it, the more anxious he became.

Keter might act recklessly, but… last night, Jacques had stressed how important this morning was. It was strange that Keter hadn’t woken up yet.

‘He’s not just not waking up. He can’t wake up!’

Bang!

Jacques flung the bedroom door open.

“Young master! Huh?!”

Just as he had feared.

Keter was half-sprawled on the sofa. It looked as if he had been resting on the sofa and then been attacked.

‘Poison. He was poisoned last night! That wicked Elder Panir…! No matter how much he dislikes him, how could he kill his own grandson?!’

Jacques vowed to confront Elder Panir, even if it cost him his job.

“Ugh.”

At that moment.

Keter, who Jacques had thought was dead, made a sound.

“Young master, you’re alive! Oh no, this isn’t the time. Quick, the antidote!”

A butler must always be prepared for anything.

This includes poison attacks. While every poison has a corresponding antidote, there’s also a neutralizing agent that delays the effects of all poisons.

Jacques pulled a vial of neutralizing agent from his pocket and rushed to the sofa.

“Groooan—”

“Huh?”

Did I mishear?

Jacques doubted his ears.

“Groooan—”

Keter made the sound again.

No, this is definitely…

“He’s… snoring?”

Jacques, now at the sofa, looked down at Keter. From afar, he hadn’t noticed, but up close, it was clear.

Keter wasn’t poisoned.

There were no signs of poisoning anywhere on his body.

The fact that he hadn’t slept in bed was just a habit. Jacques, who had dropped the expensive neutralizing agent in shock, muttered.

“Ha, haha. It would’ve been better if he’d been assassinated. At least then there’d be an excuse. What am I supposed to say about him missing breakfast?”

Jacques reached for Keter’s shoulder but quickly pulled his hand back. Touching a noble’s body carelessly was against etiquette.

Jacques looked around the room and headed to the window.

The heavy curtains were tightly drawn.

Whoosh!

He pulled back the curtains and flung the window wide open.

Cool morning air and sunlight poured in, swirling around the room. Along with it came the bustling sounds from outside.

“Ugh.”

Keter, who had been sleeping soundly, narrowed his eyes. Jacques cleared his throat loudly.

“Ahem, ahem! The weather is so nice today! Perfect for waking up!”

Thud!

Keter sat up abruptly.

Jacques jumped and screamed.

“Ahhh! You scared me. Are you awake?”

Keter stretched and said.

“Old man Jacques. Food?”

“Breakfast is already cold. But before that—”

“Let’s eat first, then talk.”

“…I’ll have the food reheated.”

“Never mind. Cold food has its own charm.”

Relieved that Keter was unharmed, Jacques clapped his hands, and the maids waiting outside filed in.

Once the maids finished setting the table, Jacques, as usual, sat down with Keter to begin the meal.

As the meal was nearing its end, Keter glanced toward the noisy outside. Quick-witted Jacques was about to explain, but Keter spoke first.

“Merchants are here?”

Jacques was baffled.

While it was true that the surroundings were noisy, there was no information to suggest that merchants had arrived. Moreover, Keter had just woken up and was in the middle of eating.

‘How on earth did he know? It’s like he’s a ghost.’

For Keter, who already knew the merchants were coming based on his past life memories, it was no big deal. But Jacques had no way of knowing that.

“Yes. There’s a merchant group that regularly supplies our household with daily necessities and materials for the blacksmith. Today is the day they deliver the blacksmith’s items.”

“Hoh.”

Keter suddenly noticed the apple served as dessert. Freshly picked, with a shiny peel. It was clearly a top-quality apple.

Crunch!

With one bite, the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness signaled the start of the day.

‘Hmm, come to think of it, last night’s dinner was the same.’

All the ingredients were of the highest quality.

Of course, it’s not unusual for a prestigious family to use top-quality ingredients, given their wealth.

But House Sephira couldn’t afford that right now. Yet, they maintained the highest quality of life?

While it’s well-known that nobles wrap themselves in dignity and pride…

‘House Sephira should be on the verge of bankruptcy, right?’

After finishing the apple, core and all, Keter wiped his hands with a napkin and stood up.

He knew from his past life memories that merchants were coming today, but he didn’t remember which merchant group it was. He hadn’t been interested.

“Old man. The merchant group dealing with House Sephira, is it an exclusive relationship?”

“Yes. The merchant group under exclusive contract with House Sephira has been maintaining our relationship for years. But why do you ask…?”

“I smell something, something really foul.”

Jacques blinked and sniffed, but there was no unusual smell.

“I don’t smell anything. Are you trying to change the subject? Last night, I clearly—”

“What’s the name of that merchant group?”

Keter cut Jacques off and asked. Though annoyed, Jacques, staying true to his role as a butler, answered with a smile.

“Ultima Merchant.”

Snap!

Keter flicked his finger and smirked.

“Just as I thought.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“I’ll be back, old man.”

“Where are you going? Where?!”

Jacques hadn’t even gotten to the main point. Knowing that if he didn’t speak now, he’d be dragged around by Keter forever, Jacques stood up and blocked the door with his whole body.

But Jacques had forgotten something. Just moments ago, he had opened the window wide to wake Keter.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Keter stepped onto the windowsill and jumped.

“Gasp! This is the third floor!”

Jacques rushed to the window in panic, but Keter had already landed lightly.

“Haah…”

Unable to jump from the railing like Keter, Jacques held his forehead and muttered.

“Please, just don’t cause any trouble.”

* * *

The role of a butler encompasses a wide range of duties.

However, certain tasks are so crucial that there are dedicated butlers for them, such as Hans, the butler in charge of House Sephira’s finances.

Hans looked at the line of carriages at the main gate. All were from the Ultima Merchant. Materials for the blacksmith were being moved in an orderly fashion.

“Quickly, but carefully. The boxes you’re moving are worth more than your lives.”

Surprisingly, the one commanding thirty carriages and two hundred workers was a young man. He was Ultima, the owner of the Ultima Merchant.

He didn’t fit the image of a merchant. He wasn’t fat or slow.

His body was more trained than a soldier’s. Sharp eyes with a glint. He seemed more like a warrior than a merchant.

“Ah, Butler Hans, you’re here?”

Ultima, who had been harshly commanding the workers, greeted Hans with a warm tone upon seeing him.

Hans awkwardly smiled and replied.

“Ultima Merchant owner, it’s good to see you. You didn’t have to come personally amidst your busy schedule.”

“Haha, what are you talking about? For the great House Sephira’s delivery, of course, I’d come running with all hands on deck.”

“Hmm.”

It was strange.

Ultima was clearly praising House Sephira, but Hans couldn’t hide his discomfort.

The reason soon became clear.

“But, Butler Hans. The payment for this delivery, surely it’s not on credit again, right? Last month, you said it was the final time.”

“Lower your voice. I’ve prepared the funds.”

“Ahem, my apologies. I’m not good at controlling my voice. Here’s the itemized list for this month. Please review it.”

Ultima pulled out a thick list from his pocket. It detailed the quantity and price of every item.

Hans skimmed the front and went straight to the total amount on the last page.

“4,200 gold? Hey, Ultima Merchant owner. We reduced the delivery quantity, so why has the price increased?”

At first glance, the number might not seem like a huge amount.

But that’s only because it’s converted into gold coins. In terms of copper coins, which commoners use, it’s a whopping 420,000.

“Ah, didn’t you know? The materials for arrows have become extremely rare. So rare that even with extra money, they’re hard to find. Our merchant group managed to secure them.”

“Even so, last month’s total was 3,500 gold. This month, I expected it to be around 3,000 gold at most. But instead, it’s 1,200 gold more?”

“Sigh…”

Ultima’s demeanor changed in an instant.

“Ptui!”

Ultima spat on the ground and spoke with a menacing face.

“So, you’re saying you can’t pay this month either?”

His tone had turned thuggish.

But his intimidation was on a whole different level from street thugs. It was the aura of someone who had been through countless battles and deaths.

Even as the butler of House Sephira, Hans was old. There was no way he could withstand the pressure of the young and aggressive Ultima.

“N-no, that’s not it. It’s difficult to pay the full amount, but I’ve prepared 2,000 gold.”

“You’re driving me crazy, Butler Hans. Even the full 4,200 gold due this month isn’t enough, and you’re offering less than half, 2,000 gold? Are you kidding me?”

If he had spoken like this to the butler of another noble house, he would’ve been executed on the spot. But Hans, flustered, responded meekly.

“But I did manage to get some money. Please understand my situation.”

“I’ve already been understanding your situation multiple times. Not just once, but for two years now. Do you even know the total amount of credit?”

“From what I remember, it’s a little under 300,000 gold.”

Ultima slapped his forehead in disbelief at Hans’ words.

“You’re out of your mind, Butler Hans. Have you gone senile? It’s 570,000. 570,000 gold!”

Ultima exploded in anger.

Hans was choked up but couldn’t get angry. It wasn’t just because 500,000 gold was an astronomical amount.

Ultima was a good merchant.

When all other merchants were cutting ties or refusing to deal with the declining House Sephira, Ultima was the only one who took the risk and continued trading, even supplying quality goods at low prices.

When House Sephira was in trouble, he even lent money for free, maintaining a strong relationship. As a result, House Sephira completely cut ties with ambiguous merchants and entered into an exclusive contract with Ultima.

But now, years later.

House Sephira was deeply in debt to Ultima. Even if Ultima raised his voice and cursed now, House Sephira had no grounds to argue.

If even Ultima turned his back, House Sephira would have to go directly to the villages to purchase goods.

Given their already insufficient manpower and numerous enemies, House Sephira couldn’t afford such risks.

“I allowed credit without interest, thinking of my relationship with House Sephira, but this is how you repay my kindness? What would people think of House Sephira if they knew?”

“I’m ashamed. You’re right. I’ll apologize on their behalf.”

The elderly Hans bowed deeply to the young Ultima. But Ultima stomped his foot in anger.

“Damn it, are you treating me like a fool now? This won’t do. I’ll have to meet the family head and get the money directly.”

“Cough, cough. Why are you doing this? You know how busy the family head is.”

“Is there anything more important than 570,000 gold right now? You’re really taking advantage of me. Is it because a great noble like the family head can’t meet me?”

“Please, don’t do this. I’ll find a way to get the money by next month. Please leave for today.”

The butler of a noble house was pleading with a young merchant. Ultima smirked and said.

“No matter how much you beg, it’s no use. If the family head won’t see me, I’ll have to meet an elder. I need some justification too.”

Coldly rejected, Hans agonized.

The family head didn’t know. That House Sephira was deeply in debt to Ultima.

It was Hans’ unilateral decision. He couldn’t burden the already busy family head with more responsibilities, so he borrowed money from Ultima without reporting.

But now, he couldn’t confess to the massive debt. It was a foregone conclusion that he’d have to introduce Ultima to one of the elders.

Then, who should he take him to?

There was no need to think. Of the three elders, only two were at the mansion.

Panir, who had returned to the family yesterday.

And Leganon, the late mistress Olive’s father.

Both were problematic, but Hans thought Leganon was the lesser evil.

Elder Panir was hot-tempered, so the problem was more likely to worsen than be resolved. On the other hand, Hans had some rapport with Elder Leganon.

Having made up his mind, Hans said to Ultima.

“Wait here for a moment. I’ll go speak with Elder Leganon.”

“Hmph. Good choice.”

Ultima said arrogantly, leaning on his cane.

As Hans left to inform Leganon, Ultima smirked.

‘Hehehe. Nobles or whatever, they’re all powerless before money. A renowned archery family? Eat this. Money is the best.’

When Hans first met Ultima, he had treated him like a petty merchant.

Back then, Ultima had vowed. He would make Butler Hans kneel.

And today, he felt closer to that dream.

‘Next time, I’ll make him kneel. Hehehe. And as time goes on…’

Just as Ultima was indulging in his happy fantasies.

“Well, well, who do we have here? It’s you, right? Snot-nose!”

Snot-nose.

A vein popped on Ultima’s forehead. Who dared to mention his childhood nickname?

Ultima turned his head sharply.

“Who the hell are you?!”

He couldn’t believe his eyes.

The person in front of him was someone who had no reason to be here.

“It’s me, you brat.”